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For centuries, France has occupied a unique place in the world of wine. Its vineyards, classifications, language, and traditions have shaped how we think about fine wine, from Bordeaux and Burgundy to concepts like terroir and appellation. But how did French wine come to dominate the global imagination? And was that dominance really built on superior wine, or on something else entirely?

My guest today is historian Kathy Burk. Kathy is Professor Emerita of Modern and Contemporary History at University College London, an acclaimed author, broadcaster, and one of the world's leading historians of economic and cultural history. 

In this conversation, we explore the rise of French wine, the role of England in creating the reputation of Bordeaux, the significance of the 1855 Classification, the origins of concepts like terroir and chaptalisation, and how the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris challenged centuries of French supremacy. Along the way, Kathy takes us from the Stone Age to modern California, revealing how trade, politics, empire, religion, and marketing helped shape the wine world we know today.

And where better to begin than at the very beginning.

Here is Kathy Burk.

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For more than four decades, Charles Melton has been one of the defining voices of the Barossa Valley. His journey stretches from the wine glut of the 1980s, through the rise of modern Australian wine, to the creation of one of the country's most recognisable labels.

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down at the Charles Melton winery on Krondorf Road with Charles Melton and his daughter Sophie Melton, the next generation helping to shape the future of the family business.

We discuss brand, authenticity, family, and the challenge of remaining relevant in an industry that has changed dramatically over the last fifty years. Charles reflects on  his early days in the industry, surviving the industry's darkest periods, and developing a brand that today enjoys a loyal following across multiple generations. Sophie shares what it is like to inherit that legacy, and how she is finding her own voice as a winemaker through her Domaine Sophie Claire label.

Together, they explore the power of story in wine, the importance of place, the realities of today's wine market, and why the strongest brands are often built not through marketing campaigns, but through decades of genuine human connection.

Whether you're interested in the history of the Barossa, the business of building a premium wine brand, or the future of Australian wine, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how one family has navigated change while remaining true to its values.

This is my conversation with Charles and Sophie Melton. A huge thanks to Charles and Sophie for joining.

Topics covered:

• The history of the Barossa vine pull and how oversupply crises shaped the region
• North vs south Barossa style differences and what makes the southern end distinct
• The origin story of Nine Popes — and its surprising connection to Châteauneuf-du-Pape
• Brand authenticity, storytelling, and what keeps Charles Melton relevant across four generations of customers
• The current Australian wine industry glut and how small producers are navigating it
• Distribution philosophy: long-term relationships, staying boutique, and resisting over-expansion
• The Young Gun of Wine awards and what it means for a new generation winemaker to compete
• Staying true to classic Barossa varieties — Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro, Cabernet — rather than chasing trends

Keywords: Charles Melton Wines, Barossa Valley wine, Nine Popes, Grenache Barossa, Sophie Melton winemaker, Domaine Sophie Claire, Peter Lehmann, Barossa vine pull, Krondorf Road winery, Young Gun of Wine, Australian wine industry, family winery, wine brand storytelling, Barossa Shiraz, cellar door Barossa

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The Hunter Valley occupies a special place in the story of Australian wine. It is, in many ways, the spiritual birthplace of the industry - a region where generations of families have wrestled with the climate, the soil, and the vagaries of the market to produce wines of remarkable character.

My guest today, Garth Eather, represents one of those families.

Garth is the co-founder of Meerea Park Wines, a winery he established with his brother Reese in 1991. But the Eather family story in Australia goes back much further than that,  all the way to the arrival of the Second Fleet in 1790, and more than two centuries of agricultural history in what would eventually become the Hunter Valley wine region.

In this conversation, Garth shares that remarkable family history,  from convict beginnings to grape growing, and eventually to building one of the Hunter Valley’s most respected small wineries. We also talk about what it really takes to survive as a small producer today: the reality of direct-to-consumer sales, the challenges facing regional tourism, and why some of the best wines the Hunter Valley has ever produced are being made right now, even as the market becomes harder than ever.

Along the way, we dive into the character of the Hunter Valley itself, its legendary Chardonnay, Semillon and Shiraz, its fiercely site-specific vineyards, and the deep sense of history that still shapes the region today. You cannot help but hear the pride Garth has for the Hunter and its stories, and this is reflected through their wines. We talk through three of their releases and we discuss what I describe as the bold strategy underpinning the Etherial (sorry for the pun) Stratos Chardonnay. 

This is a conversation about wine, certainly, but also about family, resilience, and the stories that define a place - because that is really what wine is all about. 

A huge thanks to Garth for joining me. 

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In 1974 David Anderson embarked on a project in Victoria’s Heathcote region to plant vines and craft wine. His son Liam Anderson describes that David was more or less taking a shot in the dark, with no intention of founding what would become a label with a cult following across Australia and even certain locations across the globe. Liam describes customer relationships with Wild Duck Creek spanning over 30 years, the result of hours and hours of hard work, dedication and focus on delivering a premium wine experience to consumers. 

Though Wild Duck Creek has in the past found favor with critics, not to mention being the first Victorian label to score 99+ points from Robert Parker Jnr at the Wine Advocate, Liam Anderson describes how over the years, and amid a change in fashion and trends, Wild Duck Creek has stayed true to its style of bigger, richer, wine’s of balance . They don’t try to please everyone. Rather they have a singular focus on enhancing the quality of what they have done since day dot - that is, crafting the highest quality wines given the unique terroir that Heathcote offers.

Liam Anderson grew up watching his father’s ever expanding passion for Wild Duck Creek, a passion and focus that Liam says is fastidious . Liam has been managing the vineyards at Wild Duck Creek since he was 18 y/o. He’s been making the wines since he was 20. Liam has decades of Wild Duck Creek running through his veins. He has seen the evolution of Wild Duck Creek as a cult winery and is now largely responsible for its day to day management. He has inherited his father’s passion for Heathcote and dedication to the family brand. Liam joined me for an expansive conversation, on everything from Heathcote’s climate and geography, and what makes Heathcote - well - Heathcote, to the Wild Duck Creek’s story, the experience in the US market and Liam’s aspirations for the label’s future.

A huge thanks to Liam for joining me.

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Few Australian wine families can match the storied pedigree of the Hardy family, whose legacy began when Thomas Hardy founded Thomas Hardy & Sons in 1853. Thomas later purchased the Upper Tintara Vineyard in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale in 1871, marking the birth of a winemaking dynasty.

Today, Australian wine legend Andrew 'Ox' Hardy, the great-great grandson of Thomas Hardy, carries the McLaren Vale tradition in his veins. As the custodian of the Upper Tintara Vineyard, Andrew has pushed his team to innovate, notably through his eponymous label, Ox Hardy Wines.

Andrew's work is further strengthened by his son, Henry, who has fully embraced the family's heritage. Henry brings his own expertise, honed through multiple vintages, industry studies, and valuable experience marketing and selling both here in Australia and abroad.

Both Andrew and Henry understand the critical importance of preserving the Upper Tintara Vineyard, one of Australia's most precious viticultural sites, and they're on a mission to reinforce the strong association between the Hardy name and top-quality winemaking.

It was an absolute pleasure to sit down with Andrew and Henry, father and son, for an interview brimming with insights, stories, and charm. The Hardy family saga is a remarkable Australian story, and it was a true privilege to speak with both Andrew 'Ox' Hardy and Henry. A massive thanks to them for joining me.

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Neli Naumovski is the recently appointed national sales director at Oliver's Wines. Neli brings lengthy experience in the fine wine sector, and secondary markets and has teamed up with Jeremy Oliver to launch the old rare and collectable wine project which incorporates a unique classification system. It was this classification aspect which caught my attention. I've previously spoken with Huon Hooke on my show about the classification system at the Real Review and so when I heard there was a new system entering the market, I wanted to get the inside scoop. Neli was good enough join me to give a crash course on this new project, the secondary market and for an update on all her projects at Olivers Wines. A massive thanks to Neli for joining me. 

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Presqu’ile (‘press-keel’) is a family-owned winery in the Santa Maria Valley dedicated to crafting exceptional  Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. Roughly translating in French to “Peninsula”, Presquile was the Murphy family’s gathering place in the Mississippi Gulf Country who after Hurricane Katrina, decided that they would name their winery in homage to the place that engendered a conviviality among family and friends, evoking a warmth of human spirit and a rapport among all who “passed a good time” there. 

 In 2007 the Murphy family set out to find the perfect place to farm pinot noir and chardonnay, a search that spanned America’s West coast, from California up to Oregon. The Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara Wine County won out, and the Murphy’s set about building what has become one of the most beautiful wineries in California with a wine experience to match. South African born Dieter Cronje has been making wine with the Murphy family since Presquile’s beginning. Dieter was drawn to California on the tales of promise of its wine industry and never left. Dieter invited me back to Presquile to enjoy some Santa Maria hospitality and I took the opportunity to capture his journey and perspectives on Presquile, Santa Maria and everything in between. A massive thanks to Dieter for joining me. 

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On this episode, I had the pleasure of catching up with Jeremy Oliver to get his insights on the latest developments in the Australian wine industry. We dive into Treasury Wine Estates’ recent decision to part ways with iconic brands Wolf Blass, Yellowglen, and Lindeman’s, and we explore Jeremy’s perspective on the broader market dynamics. While the challenges persist and the road ahead is long, it’s clear that resilience, determination, and will be the defining traits of those who succeed in these tough times. A huge thanks to Jeremy for joining me

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The Balnaves family first arrived in South Australia’s Coonawarra District in 1855. It's worth taking the time to research the story of William Wilson (available on the Balnaves website) to truly appreciate how deeply the Balnaves family is intertwined with the history of South Australian wine. Fast forward to 1971, when a young and ambitious Doug Balnaves was hired by Hungerford Hill to establish 100 hectares of vineyards. In 1974, Doug received a winemaking masterclass from Bill Redman, affectionately known as "the Grand Old Man of Coonawarra," which played a pivotal role in igniting and fueling Doug’s passion for crafting exceptional red wine.

In 1975, the first Balnaves vines were planted, covering 2.5 hectares each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, which are still flourishing 49 years later. In the ensuing years, Kirsty and Pete Balnaves returned to the family business, joined by Pete Bissell as the winemaker, who led the winemaking team for over 25 vintages. During this time, Balnaves went from strength to strength, with the Tally winning Jeremy Oliver's Wine of the Year in 2004 and Balnaves being named Halliday's Winery of the Year in 2008.

In 2018 Jacinta Jenkins, known as JJ to her friends, joined the Balnaves team. A native of Coonawarra, Jacinta brought her global wine education back to her roots, making it particularly fitting that she took on the role of head winemaker in 2020, when Pete Bissell passed the torch to her. Jacinta has quickly made her mark, being shortlisted for Halliday Winemaker of the Year this year—a true testament to her hard work and talent.

Jacinta recently joined me on the show to provide a glimpse into what’s happening across Coonawarra and at Balnaves. A huge thanks to Jacinta for sharing her insights.

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In this episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Legend Wine Imports, a venture spearheaded by two American sommeliers, Jonathan Ross and Jane Lopes. Their path to success took an unexpected turn when they immersed themselves in the vibrant Australian wine industry. The duo first crossed paths at New York’s esteemed Eleven Madison Park before making the bold decision to relocate to Australia. Jane found her niche at Melbourne’s acclaimed Attica Restaurant, while Jonathan took charge of the wine program for the Rockpool Group. This transformative experience deepened their appreciation for Australian wine, ultimately inspiring them to co-author "How to Drink Australian." This book captures the essence of Australian wine through the lenses of history, terroir, and the nation’s unwavering commitment to viticulture and winemaking excellence. Jonathan and Jane have since become passionate advocates for Australian wine in the USA, tirelessly working to enhance its presence and reputation. Join me as I sit down with Jonathan to explore his fascinating story and the origins of Legend Wine Imports.

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This episode was an extremely special way to close out what was a truly magical time in Santa Barbara Wine County – spending over an hour with two legends of the Santa Barbara, and wider Californian wine industry. You will all know Wes Hagen - wine maker, philosopher and poet, who I’ve been blessed to have previously on the show multiple times. Yet today Wes was in a supporting role. Wes and I sat down with one of the original pioneers of Santa Barbara, Mr Ken Brown. Ken Brown was among the first vintners to realize the tremendous promise for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in this cool-climate appellation beginning in the mid 1970s. He was also the first winemaker to introduce Syrah, as well as Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, to Santa Barbara County. In this conversation Ken regales us with stories, perspectives and very special insights on the Santa Barbara scene – and I sat there like an awe struck schoolboy hanging onto every word Ken and Wes spoke. I often feel at risk of becoming too absorbed in wine’s romanticism – but then conversations like these, with two legends of the game, make me so comfortable with that feeling  - the feeling that wine is only truly understood when you cross over from the science and forensics and enter into the realm of story, romanticism, identity and poetry. This was an extremely special conversation to record, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. A huge thanks to Wes and Ken for joining me. 

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I heard along the grape vine that there was a very special project unfolding at Alkina Wine Estate in the heart of the Barossa. Some contacts had told me that Pedro Parra, known to some as Dr Terroir, had joined forces with Alkina to take a deep dive into the Barossan earth to see what gold might be found. What follows is an incredible story that may be the first step in revolutionising story telling in Australian Wine as we know it. Dan Coward of Alkina wines, who has his own fascinating back story, joins me to share the exciting and fascinating tale of Pedro Parra and the Polygon Project. A huge thanks to Dan for this thoroughly enjoyable conversation. 

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Scott Lefler is the wine director at Ledger Restaurant and Bar in Salem, Massachusetts on America’s east coast. I contacted Scott when I learned that a pivotal moment in his wine journey was a trip he took to Australia. Scott worked his way across the Australian wine industry and fell in love with the wines, thereafter, returning to the USA and building a steady presence of Australian wine into his wine lists. In this conversation Scott shares his perspectives, as an Australian wine lover, on what he wants to see happening on the busy East Coast market. A huge thanks to Scott for joining me.   

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Australian wine once rode a remarkable wave of success in the United States — built on strong personalities, passionate importers, and wines that connected with everyday drinkers. Today, the picture is more complicated.

In this episode, I sit down with Chuuuuck Hayward, a 40-year veteran of the American wine trade to unpack what’s really happening on the ground in the US. We revisit, the rise of Australian wine in the US, the role boutique importers played in building the category, and why the loss of ambassadors, changing distribution networks, and shifting market priorities may now be reshaping its future.

We also dive into some tough questions:
Have everyday wine drinkers been forgotten? What happens when distribution keeps changing? And how should Australia position itself in a crowded US market?

This is a candid conversation about the challenges, the history, and the opportunities ahead for Australian wine. A huge thanks to Chuck for joining me. 

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We appear to be in a golden age of technological innovation. Different industries respond to this in different ways, with some industries completely revolutionising and others taking a more cautious approach to change. Many entrepreneurs see this as a time ripe with opportunity, entrepreneurs like Moshe Weizman, the co-founder of WINEing which is a platform designed to help wine merchants move stock while creating a collaborative and communal buying experience for consumers. Moshe joined me on the show to share about the WINEing project and the story behind it, while also giving some fascinating insights into the wine culture of Moshe’s home, Israel. A massive thanks to Moshe for joining me. 

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Jesper Kjaersgaard is the Director and operator of FLEUR & VIOLA a business with the mission of connecting wineries, distributors, retailers and customers to the best wines that Australia and Europe have to offer. Jesper is originally from Denmark and it was while working in a fine wine store that he tasted Lafite 1985, an experience which made it clear to Jesper what he would do with his future. Since then, Jesper has moved wine at all levels of the industry, be that through fine wine stores, or through the larger Langton’s structure. Over time Jesper has found that his passion is for the small premium producer with a wine to sell and a story to match. Jesper joins me on the show to share his experiences across the industry and his perspectives on just how important story telling is to the success of not just a brand, but an industry as a whole. A massive thanks to Jesper for joining me.   

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My investigations tell me that most people in the Australian wine industry know of or have dealt directly with Chuck Hayward. Chuck is a Californian who has made a career from promoting, educating about and selling Australian wines in the USA market, and he’s been doing this for a long time. Chuck first fell in love with Aus wines when working at the Jug wine shop in San Francisco, where he was responsible for building an Australian and New Zealand section that represented roughly 20 percent of the stores stock. Chuck travelled to Australia to explore and investigate the country behind the wines he was developing a love for, and the relationship flourished, so much so that Australia became a regular travel destination for Chuck. Chuck’s ongoing relationship with Aus wine has stood the test of time, and he has maintained a keen interest in the domestic Australian scene and the impact and traction Australian wine gains in the USA market. Chuck joined me on the show to discuss his perception of the state of play of Australian wine in the USA market. Despite there being a bit of white noise that was difficult to edit without impacting the audio, it was an incredible conversation with Chuck. A huge thanks to Chuck for joining me.  

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Jane Campbell is the General Manager of the family owned and run Campbell’s winery which is crafting world class wines in Victoria’s Rutherglen wine region. The Campbell’s story now spans 5 successive generations, from John Campbell who set sail from St Andrews in Scotland to join in the Gold rush but who ended up planting vines near what was then the Bobbie Burns gold field. The Campbell family survived phylloxera outbreak of the late 1800’s and then, with an eye on the future, consolidated then steadily grew without compromising quality or integrity. Campbell’s is now run by 5th generation sisters Jane and Julie Campbell, who are tirelessly working to share the Campbells message. Jane sat down with me to share the Campbells story and some insights into a wine family that is part and parcel of Australian wine history. A huge thanks to Jane for joining me.

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Chris Thomas is the winemaker and managing director at Dowie Doole in South Australia’s McLaren Vale. The rumour is that in his younger schoolboy days he excelled in the math and science departments, but when it came to undertaking later studies he was convinced to pursue oenology after talking to a friend who raved about how interesting and fun it was. Chris accrued a wealth of experience across the industry and makes particular mention of the influence of Steve Serafino Maglieri who is a champion of alternative varietals and a pioneer of the modern McLaren vale wine scene. Chris aims to channel diversity and excellence through the Dowie Doole Vineyards at Blewitt Springs and Tatachilla and he joined me on the show to share a bit about his work in the McLaren vale and the mission for Dowie Doole. A huge thanks to Chris for joining me. 

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Wine personalities don’t get much bigger than that of US Master Somm Bobby Stuckey. Bobby started working tables as a bus boy, and after discovering a brochure on the Court of Master Somms while working at the Little Nell in Aspen he dedicated himself to achieving excellence in the world of wine. Bobby is now widely recognised as an industry leader in United States hospitality. After talking to Bobby about his business philosophy and his approach to leadership it’s not difficult to see why. Bobby joined me for a conversation in which he shared his story and insights into the world of wine, business and specifically hospitality. A huge thanks to Bobby for joining me. 

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Dan Eggleton, is a producer and advocate for small wine makers, and has been a leading voice in generating important conversations and asking hard questions at a grass roots level in Australian wine. He is as true blue as you find, and acutely feels the plight of small producers of premium wines across Australia. Dan felt that he had to become vocal after witnessing the difficulties of particularly the last two vintages, given the urgency of what is at stake. He is humble and genuine, but not backwards in coming forwards. Dan and I had a fascinating conversation in which we discussed the current representation of small producers, the protection of wine making integrity and what is at stake if no change is made. Many of these topics are uncomfortable and difficult to approach, and Dan is worthy of admiration for raising them. These are all topics that need to be further unpacked and talking with Dan has caused me to take a deeper look into many of the issues discussed and my views have accordingly developed even since. However, I hope that Dan and my conversation is food for thought and the greater industry can collaborate to provide meaningful solutions to many of the questions that need to be tackled. A huge thanks to Dan for joining me. 

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Nestled in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley is Brave and Maiden Estate, named after a Romeo and Juliet type legend that was passed down by the Americans native to the area. Victor Robaglia is the head wine maker at Brave and Maiden and overseas a program of Bordeaux varietals which he crafts in partnership with the unique Santa Ynez terroir. Despite having French parents, Victor has an extremely international narrative, being born in Canberra and having done vintages in South Africa and the USA. Victor was attracted to Santa Barbara given the unique terroir and the exciting possibilities it presented. Victor invited me out to the winery where he educated me on Santa Ynez and all thing Brave and Maiden. A huge thanks to Victor for joining me. 

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Nearly two years ago, I met Priscilla Hennekam, a Brazilian woman with an infectious laugh and an arguably unrivalled passion for wine and the wine industry. Since our first conversation, Priscilla has been working hard to narrow her focus and channel her passion—her new mission being to revolutionize the world of wine communication, to demystify wine, to make it approachable, and to build traction with generations of younger consumers who seem to be questioning whether wine is for them. Priscilla’s vision is most visible through her blog, *Rethinking the Wine Industry*, a forum dedicated to rethinking and challenging the current means of communicating the wine industry’s messaging to consumers. Priscilla has also solidified her position in the consultancy space, where she delivers advice across the globe on wine communication. Priscilla and I recently caught up for a long-overdue chat to hear about the development of her work and her vision for the future. A massive thanks to Priscilla for joining me.

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Cokie Ponikvar loves wine. Her passion is contagious, and she wants to share her passion for wine with the world. She is studying for MW exam while chasing her dream of becoming an MS, and she shares her studies with the world through her online education platform Cokie’s World of Wine. Cokie released early that wine lends itself to a pretentious air that has resulted in the alienation of entire generations of future potential wine lovers. So, she has made it her mission to break down the barriers, thereby creating an attractive and welcoming portal through which all can see the world of wine in its full beauty. She is young, observant, dedicated and passionate - the perfect ambassador to share the word, and the traction she has garnered means her work is being noticed. Cokie sat down with me to share her story, her work and a little bit about herself in this thoroughly enjoyable conversation. A huge thanks to Cokie for joining me.

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Phil Conway embraced adventure and the unknown when he moved from Ireland to Melbourne in Australia. Phil describes a love of food from an early age, a love and passion that placed him on an inevitable collision course with wine. These passions took him across the globe while also launching him onto the set of Australia’s masterchef. Phil describes his passion for food and wine as extensions of himself rather than descriptions of what he does or his occupation. Food and wine are central to his entire life. In this conversation, we discuss Phil’s role as wine buyer for Barrel and Batch, purchase trends in Melbourne, his journey from Ireland's Galway to Melbourne and Phil corrects some misconceptions I have about everything Masterchef. An extremely fun conversation. A huge thanks to Phil for joining me. 

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David LeMire MW is joint CEO and head of sales and marketing at Shaw and Smith. His experience ranges from being the import manager for Negotiants Australia to taking on the revered Master of Wine accreditation. David also writes for Anthony Madigan’s Wine Business Monthly publication, where David shares his perspectives with panache. David joined me on the show from the Adelaide Hills to share his story, the story of Shaw and Smith and associated wineries  including Tolpuddle, and some perspectives on the bureaucratic structures tasked with supporting and advocating for the Australian wine industry. A huge thanks to David for joining me.  

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Some weeks ago, I caught up with one of my absolute favourites, Alex Head of the Head Wines label. In typical cool, calm, and collected fashion Alex shared his perspectives on the economic roller coaster Australia is riding and its impacts on the industry, the need for an active optimism and the importance of embracing personal responsibility when it comes to facing challenges. Alex and I also discussed the most recent developments with Head Wines. Alex’s measured and acute observations are valuable and an enjoyment to listen to and consider. A huge thanks to Alex for joining me. 

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I recently managed to grab Ashley Ratcliff, the owner of Ricca Terra Wines, for a quick update on his recent activities. Ashley is a passionate crusader for the Australian wine cause and also for what is possibly one of the most misunderstood regions in the Australian wine landscape, South Australia’s Riverland. Ashley’s time and travels in and across the industry have given him acute perspectives and an eye for opportunity, and after a recent trip to the USA, Ashley believes more than ever that there is an abundance of opportunity if the industry embraces thinking outside the box. It was a quick chat, but it doesn’t take long to gauge Ashley’s passion and his vision. A big thanks to Ashley for joining me.

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Darren Rathbone is the CEO and head Wine Maker in charge of the Rathbone Group, a family run enterprise responsible for Victoria’s Mount Langi Ghiran and Yering Station and Xanadu in Margaret River, WA. The Rathbone Group entered the Chinese market in around 2007, saw its rise and saw its collapse with the imposition of the Chinese tariffs. Now that the tariffs have been lifted the Rathbone Group is cautiously re-entering the Chinese market. Darren sat down with me to give a snapshot overview of the Rathbone Group’s activities, a history of the Chinese market and his perspectives on the future. A massive thanks to Darren for joining me. 

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Giles Cooke MW is one of the industry leaders behind the sensational wave of new age Grenache sweeping across the McLaren vale and Barossa. He also brings bucketloads of perspective given his wealth of industry background developed in the European market - not to mention the big initials MW next to his name. Giles is all about excitement and innovation and doing what it takes to establish his wines in the premium market domestically and abroad. Giles and I talk about Giles’s story, what’s going on with Grenache and what is going on with Australia’s approach to the international market.  A huge thanks to Giles for joining me.   

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This is my first episode recorded since arriving in Santa Barbara, and I couldn’t think of a better way to start than by getting the Santa Barbara story, plus the story of a winery that forms part of Californian history. Who better to share the story than one of the legends of the Santa Barbara wine scene, Wes Hagen. A huge thanks to Wes for joining me. 

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There is nothing as important as going back to basics, so I called on wine rockstar Doug Neal for some education – on the topic of oak and its role in the wine world. As always, its difficult to be comprehensive, especially when you’re on the clock, but the passionate teacher in Doug came out and I found his class very insightful. A huge thanks to Doug for joining me. 

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It’s important to tie off loose ends, so I sat down with Jeremy Oliver a second time to cap off the themes in his recently release paper to the wine industry. We discussed China’s decision to lift the tariffs on Australian wine imports, the difficulties posed where a duopoly controls a consumer market and we discussed some of the feedback from our first chat. As always -  fun and insightful. A massive thanks to Jeremy for joining me.

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For more than three decades, Huon Hooke has dedicated his pen to the world of wine. Beginning his career as a journalist in the traditional print media, Huon has witnessed the evolution of wine reviewing and criticism from the era of the print media to the digital age and now the uncharted territory of social media. Huon generously shared his insights on the Real Review's work, the current landscape of wine criticism, and the myriad challenges and exciting opportunities that lie ahead for the Australian wine industry. A heartfelt thank you to Huon for joining me.

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Andrew Burchell's vision is to put Mount Gambier on the national and global radar as a premium producing wine region. He has the passion, the love of wine and viticulture, and Mt Gambier provides the perfect conditions, including – wait for it – a volcano – yes Andrew crafts wines in the foothills of Australia’s only inactive volcano which is predicted to erupt in the next 1000 years. But far from loving the limelight, Andrew is a passionate crusader for the Mt Gambier region as a whole and of all those who have dedicated their lives to making wine there. Though he may not like to admit it, he is the perfect ambassador – passionate, enthusiastic, bubbling with personality, bold and all along adopting an approach to wine which is a little outside the conventional box, a bit like my audio in this episode. A massive thanks to Andrew for joining me. 

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Will Taylor is one of the most insightful voices in Australian Wine - and its not hard to see why. His perspective is as unique as it is dialed in. As the managing partner of the wine group at Finlayson’s law, he spends his days analysing the aspects of the wine trade and industry that get the least attention - the least sexy aspects of the trade, that are the most important when it comes to building a viable trade and industry. In this chat I get to ask Will about his key takeaways from 2025, while he also unpacks what he perceives to be necessary to sprout the green shoots that will place the national industry on an upward trajectory. As always, an absolute pleasure and privilege talking with Will Taylor, a huge thanks to Will for joining me.  

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Brandon Farrell travels the world tasting the world’s finest wines so that he can present them at events and as part of specially curated lists at dinners put on through his company the Brilliant Wine Co. Brandon’s travels recently brought him to Australia’s sunny shores. His intentions had originally been to get some sun and enjoy the surf, but when his network put him in touch with some of Australia’s finest producers, Brandon abandoned leisure and decided the do a blitz of the Australian wine trail, from the Hunter south to Tassie and across to WA. To summarise Brandon liked what he saw. I spoke with Brandon shortly after he returned to the US and he joined me to share his story, and insights of the current state of play in wine world. A huge thanks to Brandon for joining me. 

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The stars are aligning for Stephen Cook of Eisenstone Wines. Stephen modelled his project at Eisenstone on the production of small batch Barossa Shiraz, where success would follow Stephen’s attention to detail and captivating his audience with the resulting quality wines. Since I last spoke with Stephen, his range has grown to 12 subregional Barossa Shiraz expressions, all which tell a different story of the region and the producer. His wines continue to receive accolades and international recognition and Stephen’s success may be a blueprint for small producers to follow. As always, a huge thanks to Stephen for joining me on the show. 

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Brenden Robnik is a hard-working tradie by day, but when the sun goes down and he downs tools he morphs into the Wine Animal – who’s passion for wine and desire to share knows no limits. It doesn’t take long talking to the Wine Animal for his passion to shine through – but what is just as, if not more captivating, than the Wine Animal’s passion – is the story behind it. The Wine Animal’s story, aka the story of Brenden “Brenno” Robnik, is a story of difficulty that almost ended in tragedy, but Brenden’s love of wine shone through and forged a path that created the Wine Animal and set Brenden on an adventure that brings meaning and continual passion to him and all those he meets. Brenden “Brenno” Robnik joined me recently to share his story – and the story of the Wine Animal – A massive thanks to Brenden for joining me. 

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Melania Battiston was already an advanced Sommelier at the Court of Master Sommeliers by age 24. In 2021 Melania was rated in the top 100 most influential women in hospitality. In 2023 Melania was award young UK Sommelier of the year. In 2024 Melania was on the Decanter panel as a judge for the Decanter World Wine Awards. During COVID, Melania worked at Modena’s 3 Michelin Star restaurant Osteria Francescana – but after a tough first attempt at the Master Sommelier exam Melania checked herself- because her relationship with wine began to strain – so Melania set out on a mission to rekindle her love of wine – and this journey has taken her across the globe, from the UK, to Greece and onto Thailand – Her motto is dream it – make it and she was good enough to sit down with for a few minutes to share her story and her infectious passion. A huge passion to Melania for joining me. 

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Wine personalities don’t come much bigger than Jeremy Oliver. Widely considered to be not only Australia’s top wine authority, but also one of the top critic’s on the global stage, Jeremy Oliver’s wine story dates back to when he was a mentee of Dan Murphy at the first Dan Murphy’s store in Chapel Street Prahran. Now, with over 36 years as an independent wine critic, he has published over 30 books and has published in and been featured in numerous publications across the globe. Jeremy is extremely passionate about Australian wine but is also fearless in callings things as he sees it when the occasion demands. Jeremy recently released a paper in which he sought to summarise what he considers to be the current issues plaguing the Australian industry, from the oversupply of wine to the variance in quality, all facilitated by a systematic lack of considered oversite dating back many years. Jeremy Oliver joined me for two hours in which we sought to unpack the background to his paper. There were several topics in his paper that we did not discuss, but there is so much food for thought in what Jeremy shared. A huge thanks to Jeremy for joining me. 

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This year I fell in love with the wines of Barolo. I have long been fascinated by Italian wine, all its history and the specific characters that the diverse Italian terroir confers. Barolo is unique. Now Federica Boffa, 5th generation Pio Cesare, agrees that Barolo is indeed special and the slopes, soil and altitude confer a rare magic that those lucky enough to taste Barolo wines get to experience. The timing of this conversation was just perfect as for me - Barolo is Christmas in a bottle – beautiful, ethereal and bloody complex. Federica Boffa of the Pio Cesare wine family took some time out of her busy schedule to sit down with me to record the last episode before Christmas, in which she shares the Pio Cesare story, the story of a family with a history stretching back to 1881 and a continuous link to the town of Alba. I couldn’t think of a better way of bringing 2023 to a close for the Cellar Door Podcast. A massive thanks to Federica for joining me. 

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Will Taylor has experienced it all in the wine world. South Australian born and bred, he has spent a large portion of his career advising some of Australia’s most reputable wine businesses on how to navigate the business world. Will also has skin in the game, having operated his own successful label. Will recently joined me to share his perspectives on the state of play in the industry based on years of advising and also working in the wine industry. A massive thanks to Will for joining me. 

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Many months ago Californian wine great Wes Hagen caused me to reflect on what is the true lifeblood of the Australian wine industry – are we all about sunshine and ripeness or do we have a genuine fine wine sector, where we let real Australian character speak through our wines. On the international scene, Australia has performed strongly in what we might call the affordable, drink now, wine range – we have really had to fight to gain recognition for our fine wines, and we can thank groups like the First Families and many other passionate Australian wine advocates who have worked tirelessly to take our fine wines to the world for them to enjoy. In this episode I am again joined by Wes Hagen, and Aussie wine hero Doug Neal to talk about international perspectives on the Australian wine scene, and several other topics including the case for pinot noir in Australia, and the incredible potential in the Australian wine scene. A massive thanks to both Wes and Doug for sitting down with me.

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I've spent a long time experimenting with different food and wine pairings, wondering why sometimes I nail them and other times I flunk it. Well, coming up to Christmas, my favourite time of the year,  I'm taking the step to mitigate the risk of human fallibility, and that attached to using and applying general rules. I've called in the pro, Marc Malouf of I Heart Wine and Wines Worth Writing About to set me straight, or at least give me some infrastructure to guide my food and wine pairings moving forward. Marc shares his tips and tricks that will help take food and wine pairing to a new level. A massive thanks to Marc for joining me. 

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It is rare to achieve or merit cult status in the Aus wine scene. However, Doug Neal has done just that. His breadth of experience stretches from Burgundy to Bordeaux and across to California - back home in Australia he applied his Midas touch at Giaconda and the legendary Paradise IV before setting his sights on new ambitions with labels Altera Terra and Gaffy and Neal. Consistent with his personal ethos, Doug’s commitment is to making, not just good but brilliant wines. He does not settle for mediocrity. Once upon a time teacher, Doug has the knack for critical analysis and a sort of straightness of vision upon which he has built a revered reputation across Australian Wine. Doug not only shares his many journeys with me, but also his perspectives on the current state of affairs in the Australian wine world and his aspirations for the future of Australian wine. A legendary conversation, a massive thanks to Doug for joining me.

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Cyndal Petty has spunk. She describes her drive and oodles of energy from an early age, her parents placing her in the gymnastics arena and her early success in it until injury caused her to pivot. But the foundations of drive and dedication had set hard, and when Cyndal found herself as an apprentice chef at age 15 years old, it was only a matter of time before she set her eyes on a new goal and shot out in pursuit. Her goal: to learn and absorb everything she could about wine. Fast forward some years and Cyndal has become a multidimensional force: she writes, presents, consults and curates. Most importantly, she works tirelessly and endlessly to hone her skills and improve. This was an extremely fun conversation with someone who is backing herself to achieve exciting things. A massive thanks to Cyndal for joining me on the CDP. 

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Shandor and Jess Lim were comfortably intrenched in the Hunter Valley wine scene, Jess was the lauded somm at the two hatted Muse restaurant, and Shandor operated a successful tourism company where he prided himself on providing an authentic and grassroots Hunter Valley experience. They tell the story of how they were both looking for a new wine frontier to explore to take their wine journey to new places – and they came to Queensland’s Granite Belt. This is the story of two remarkable people with fascinating backgrounds, both passionate ambassadors for the Australian Winery – who are loudly ringing the bell to announce that the QLD wine scene has come of age. They have relished being welcomed by the Granite Belt community and are beyond excited for the opportunities this booming region offers. A massive thanks to Shandor and Jess for joining me.

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Mozzie Khan is an up-and-coming superstar in the Brisbane wine scene. He is the current Brisbane brand ambassador for Hidden Creek winery and he has made it his mission to educated people, on and infuse people with passion for, wine. While Mozzie generally hides his wealth of knowledge under a bushel, his personality may be best captured by one of his many Instagram handles, vines & style. Mozzie loves walking out among the vines – but he does so in style. He dresses with panache, his approach to wine is passionate and you kind of cannot help but getting caught up in it. Mozzie and my first interaction involved a conversation about a football team – but it didn’t take long for us to work each other out, and since then I have had the benefit of watching Mozzie’s fantastic work in the Brisbane scene as a passionate wine man and an ambassador for the Queensland wine industry. Mozzie and I sat down at a terrific Colombian Restaurant to chat Brisbane, food and wine.  A massive thanks to Mozzie for joining me. 

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Barry and Bernadette Wurlod were dairy farmers. Their son Jerram describes them as being effective and innovative users of technology in the dairy industry. In 2005, Barry and Bernadette decided to pull up stumps on the dairy front, a decision which inspired a voyage to Europe, where they were immersed in the world of European wine. Here the spark of innovation and change was reignited and soon enough Barry and Bernadette had taken steps to convert the dairy farm into a winery with commercial potential. The Keayang Maar Vineyard is located in South Western Victoria in the region of Dixie, a region which is not traditionally recognised for its wine but a region which the Wurlod's are discovering has real wine producing potential. What started as an experiment has turned into a full-time role for Jerram Wurlod. Keayang Maar is a true family affair and simultaneously an adventure. It takes courage, creativity and true sense of adventure to pioneer wine making in a new region. This is just what the Wurlod family is doing. Jerram sat down with me to share it all. This is a family enterprise worth getting behind. A massive thanks to Jerram for joining me on the show. 

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